Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Rural Sports Writers Association

This blog is dedicated to all those rural sports writers who are commited to their craft and athletics. My objective is to highlight the beautiful craft of "excellence in rural sports writing" and a picture of rural American sports - a fading yet significant part of American history. I will start with my California San Joaquin Valley; specifically Sanger High School Football and legendary Coach Chuck Shidan and then extend my diatribe about an excellent sports writer by the name of Andy Bettancourt; sports writer for the Visalia Times-Delta. Why Sanger and why the Visalia Times? It is because of an epic battle that occured on December 5th, between Sanger High and Tulare Union High School. Since I live in urban San Francisco but grew up in Sanger, I constantly search for excellent rural sports writing to quench my sports appetite. Andy did a great job of wrting about the epic battle. I consider it a luxury when I read a great article. Therefore, I dedicate this blog to all the rural sports writers in America (and the world) who are dedicated to their craft in isolated and rural environments! Keep up the good work and post your comments here. Felix
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4 comments:

  1. FelixDecember 10, 2008 at 9:08 PM

    I think a lot about the role of atheletics and physical fitness in one's life. Probably because I was brought up in the JFK era whereby our President established the President's Council on Physical Fitness. There is a great opportunity for sports writers to discuss the role of fitness in our lives. High School atheletics of all types is a stepping stone in the right direction. Especially inexpensive sports such as track and field, and related.

    You can find information in the JFK Library here:
    http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/JFK+in+History/The+Federal+Government+Takes+on+Physical+Fitness+Page+2.htm
    "Kennedy took up fitness with both hands, after the election publishing an article, "The Soft American," in Sports Illustrated. The article was an unprecedented announcement by a President-elect of public policy in the mass media. In it, Kennedy established four points as the basis of his program, including a "White House Committee on Health and Fitness"; direct oversight by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; an annual Youth Fitness Congress to be attended by state governors; and the assertion that fitness—physical fitness—was very much the business of the federal government."

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  2. FelixDecember 10, 2008 at 10:39 PM

    Here is what I consider a great article by Andy Bettencourt, Sports writer for the rural Visalia-Tulare Delta Times:
    http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/article/20081210/HSSPORTS01/81209020/-1/HSSports

    I especially enjoyed reading the descriptive phrasing on the challenges faced by this rural team.

    For example Andy wrote; "But something came out of those ashes: A change in coaching philosophy — and it came courtesy of..."

    Well said.

    Felix

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  3. FelixDecember 10, 2008 at 10:45 PM

    Andy Boogard of the Fresno Bee can be considered a rural sports writer in the sense that everyone else thinks Fresno is a hick town. I like Andy because of his recognition of the role of rural football in the San Joaquin Valley. Take a look at what Andy says about Sanger High Football here:
    http://www.fresnobeehive.com/sportsbuzz/2008/08/valleys_best_football_communit.html

    "I've long said they play football in the Valley's purist form -- nothing pretentious -- and their fans can't be beat."

    Nice write up Andy...in a sports writers purist form!

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  4. FelixDecember 11, 2008 at 6:17 AM

    Bruce Meadows - Rural Sports Writer for the Novoto Advance.

    I've followed the sports writing of Bruce Meadows and he's doing a great job in Northern Cali. But the real story is that the Novato Advance was reported to be doing under much to the chagrin of local readers. The Novato Advance is an example of many rural PRINT newspapers going under. The good news the Novato Advance found a buyer http://www.novatoadvance.com/blogs/

    I hope the new publisher enables Bruce Meadows the flexibilty and webspace to expand on the great sports in Novato. I mean they have a championship team! What role does local rural sports report play in the success of a local rural newspaper! INHO -> a huge role. Especially when you combine the PRINT with the ONLINE. You have a winning combination.
    http://www.novatoadvance.com/articles/2008/12/10/sports/doc493b72d71f492873495295.txt

    So here's a toast to Bruce Meadows; rural sportswriter and ad-hoc member of the Rural Sports Writers Association.
    Felix Lopez, Co-President, Rural Sports Writers Association.

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